The Diary Game|| Attending my lecturer's husband burial

axgustine (56)in Hindwhale Community • 12 days ago

The day I went for my lecturer's husband burial at Emerald Event Center in Uyo, it started strange from the morning. I woke up not really in the mood, the sky was kind of gray, but still the sun tried to break through. I dressed quiet, I no wear anything too shiny, because I know it was not a place for bright clothes. My heart was somehow heavy even before I left the house.

When I reach the event center, the place look big and already full of cars. People were walking slow, nobody was rushing, even the steps of everyone felt heavy. I saw some coursemates near the gate, we shake hands but no one talk much. The building shine white and tall, flowers decorate the side like wedding, but it was not wedding, it was pain.

Inside the hall the air was thick. The coffin was there in front with wreaths everywhere, candles burning small, the smell of fresh flowers mix with perfume and tears. Some chairs were already filled, so I just sat at the side. My eyes catch my lecturer where she sat with her family, her face no hide the sorrow, but she still hold herself like a strong woman. I tell myself, fortitudo in adversis, meaning strength in troubles, because I know she needed it.

The pastor started with prayers, his voice echo soft but sharp. He said life is short, man be dust, return back to dust, and all of us nodded because the truth don’t need long talk. Then the choir begin to sing, the sound gentle but strong, one by one people bend head and tears started to flow. I hold myself but even me my eyes were wet small.

I remembered the latin memento mori—remember death will come. That phrase hit me again and again, as if life was whispering inside my chest. The coffin was not just wood and cloth, it was reminder that all of us will follow one day. That thought disturb me, but it also calm me in one strange way.

During the tributes, people talk about the man, how he lived, how he helped others, how he smiled. Each person that spoke, you could feel love in their words. My lecturer sat quiet, her eyes far away, like she was listening but at the same time lost inside her own mind. I wished I could tell her everything will be fine, but words sometimes are empty.

When the service finish, we follow the line outside, the sun bright but the mood heavy. The air felt dry in my throat, but I still stood there, watching. Some of the family members cry loud, some silent. I look again at my lecturer, I see her wipe face, but she didn't break down. Strength and sorrow living in same body.

As I walked away from the event center, I kept thinking about time. Tempus fugit—"time runs fast". Yesterday we were in class laughing at one small joke, and today I was watching coffin go down. Life really is fragile like egg. I told myself I must love people more, because one day, suddenly, they can disappear.

The road outside the center was busy again with cars, but inside my heart it felt empty. I walked down to where the bus was, non of course mate was talking much, just silence between me and my friends. I thought of home, I thought of family, I thought of my own life. I whispered vita brevis, life is short, and it stayed in my head like a drum.

That day will not leave me quick. The flowers, the tears, the quiet face of my lecturer, all of it remain like picture in my memory. Death remind us we are small, but also push us to live fully. That is what Emerald Event Center taught me on that day.